Isopeptide linkage between N-alpha-monomethylalanine and lysine in ribosomal protein S11 from Escherichia coli

Protein S11 from the Escherichia coli ribosome has a unique NH2-terminal structure not previously observed among ribosomal proteins. Owing to the formation of an isopeptide bond between a secondary amino acid (N-alpha-monomethylalanine) and the epsilon-amino group of the NH2-terminal lysine residue, a "branching point" is formed. Therefore, two amino acids are seen when the NH2 terminus of the protein is determined.

Sequence determination of protein S9 from the Escherichia coli ribosome

The complete amino acid sequence of ribosomal protein S9 of Escherichia coli has been established. The protein was digested with trypsin and Staphylococcus aureus protease and the resulting peptides were separated by ion exchange chromatography on a new Dowex 50W-X7 microcolumn or a small phosphocellulose column. If necessary, they were rechromatographed on purified cellulose thin-layer plates on a preparative scale. The sequences of the peptides were determined by the micro dansyl-Edman technique, whereas the alignments of the tryptic peptides were mainly established from large cyanogen bromide fragments which were sequenced by the automatic Edman degradation process. Protein S9 is 128 amino acids long and has the following composition: Asx7, Thr5, Ser7, Glx16, Pro3, Gly13, Ala10, Val10, Met3, Ile7, Leu9, Tyr5, Phe4, His1, Lys10, Arg18. The molecular weight as calculated from the amino acid composition is 14 569. A total of 92.6 mg of the lyophilized protein was used for the determination of the primary structure of S9. Most of the material was needed to isolate sufficient amounts of the CNBr-fragments for the automatic degradation in the sequenator.

Influenza immunization: serologic and clinical responses in military units

Two inactivated influenza-virus vaccines were tested and compared in three army training units in Israel. The serological responses to the vaccines and the side-effects were assessed. The vaccines contained the influenza strains which were prevalent in 1974: A2/Port Chalmers/1/73 and B/Hong Kong/8/73. One of the vaccines also contained A2/England/42/72. Both vaccines caused a more than three-fold rise in geometric mean titers against influenza A strains, and about a twofold rise in geometric mean titers against influenza B/Hong Kong/5/73. Approximately 75%-80% of the vaccinees acquired protective hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titers against influenza A strains, while less than 30% acquired protective titers against B strains. In general, there were no significant differences between the serological responses to the two vaccines. More than 50% of the vaccinees experienced at least one systemic side-effect (50.3% with one vaccine and 61.0% with the other). The average number of side-effects per person was between 1.78 and 2.11. However, these side-effects were generally of short duration and caused minimal disability. On the whole, the two vaccines did not differ significantly with regard to the side-effects they caused.

The sequence determination of a protein in a micro scale: the sequence analysis of ribosomal protein L34 of Escherichia coli

The complete amino acid sequence of ribosomal protein L34 has been established by improved micro techniques with 3 mg of the lyophilized protein. The protein was digested with trypsin, thermolysin and chymotrypsin and the resulting peptides were isolated from fingerprints performed on cellulose thin-layer plates. The amino acid sequences of the peptides were determined by the combined micro dansyl-Edman technique using 5 - 10 nmol per sample. Aspartic acid and glutamic acid were distinguished from their amides by use of the color reaction of ninhydrin with the respective amino acid phenylthiohydantoins.

[Epidemiological findings in the study of congenital malformations]

Experience with thalidomide and German measles contracted during pregnancy has focused attention on the question of birth defects. It is suggested that good reasons exist for the carrying out epidemiological investigations to establish the true incidence and geographical and social distribution of such deformities, and hence their possibly "environmental" origin at least in some instances. Such investigations would supplement research into experimental teratology. The advantages, disadvantages and limitations of retrospective and prospective investigations are discussed. A detailed account is given of a prospective survey in progress in Israel. Reference is also made to a similar survey being launched in some Italian cities with the aid of the CNR.